Why Sean Abbott is Australia’s toughest cricketer: 10 years on from Australian sport’s most tragic day

Ten years to the day from one of the most tragic days in sporting history, Sean Abbott was bowling on the SCG. His bravery and character is nothing less than extraordinary, writes Ben Horne.

Whether Sean Abbott ever plays a Test match or not – it doesn’t matter.

Nothing changes the fact he is the toughest cricketer in Australia. In fact you’d be hard-pressed to find a more courageous individual across any sport in this country.

The bravery and character of Abbott to play in this Sheffield Shield match for NSW, and stand for the minute’s silence before play on Wednesday – the 10-year anniversary of Phillip Hughes’ death is extraordinary.

Abbott was visibly distressed during the minute’s silence and momentarily left the field after its completion, before returning down the race for the start of play.

Umpires, players and staff from New South Wales and Tasmania commemorate the life of Phillip Hughes with a minutes on Wednesday. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images.

Within half an hour, Abbott was on a hat-trick after dismissing two Tasmanian batsmen in successive balls.

The hat-trick ball zeroed in past the off-stump. Two overs later and he had his third for the day and fourth for the innings.

What a cricketer. What incredible resilience.

Abbott had the choice not to play in this match.

When Cricket Australia was deciding on its scheduling, it went to NSW captain Moises Henriques and Abbott to ask how they felt about a Shield match being played at the SCG across the dates of the 10-year anniversary of Hughes’ tragic passing.

Abbott gave his blessing for the match to be played, and he wanted to be out there to play and to honour Hughes with his family by his side.

Out of respect for the Hughes family, Abbott has never spoken publicly about the day that also changed his life.

Not once has he ever made it about himself or asked for sympathy. He has always carried himself with absolute class and dignity.

What a special human being Abbott must be. What a fine cricketer he is, and it is time to finally celebrate him for what he is – an immense character in Australian sport.

Courage is overblown and exaggerated in sport. But Abbott is the very definition of the word.

It was a privilege to be at the SCG on Wednesday morning and witness Abbott’s spirit, selflessness and courage.

Abbott’s wife Brier was there, supporting him. Teammates rallied around him after the minute’s silence, having his back as they always have.

The camaraderie of cricket came to the fore 10 years ago, and did again on Wednesday.

Also in the stands was Dr John Orchard, who treated Hughes on the field 10 years ago, players’ association boss Todd Greenberg, Venues NSW executives David Gallop and Kerrie Mather, dozens of Cricket NSW and SCG employees past and present and a school group from William Clarke College in the Hills district.

Nic Maddinson and Adam Zampa – a teammate of Hughes for South Australia and this time playing for NSW, were also involved in the fateful match 10 years ago and deserve credit for also fronting up so stoically.

Abbott, a limited overs international with nearly 50 caps, is cricket’s most underappreciated and underrated figure.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA – NOVEMBER 10: Sean Abbott of Australia walks from the field after being dismissed during game three of the Men's ODI series between Australia and Pakistan at Perth Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

On the 10th anniversary of this tragedy, it is important that the man who innocently bowled the ball on that fateful day at the SCG is given recognition for the career he has mustered – achievements which have largely gone unspoken now for a decade.

This injustice has manifested out of good intentions – a determination to not have every moment in Abbott’s career perpetually linked back to the heartbreaking accident for which he is, quite obviously, completely blameless.

He does not deserve this.

But unintentionally as a result, Abbott’s triumphs have been overshadowed by the celebration of others. He is a World Cup winner as part of Australia’s champion squad in 2023 who pulled off arguably the greatest 50-over tournament win of all time.

However, behind closed doors in the dressing room – where it matters most – teammates recognise Abbott for the “special” cricketer he is.

“There’s not too many people I think, that would have been able to work his way through that situation like Sean has, and that just shows he is super human to be totally honest,” Shane Watson says.

“To be able to go through that whole experience like he has and continue just to get better and better and not be derailed by that event, it’s something incredibly special.

“He is a special talent. He always has been. But then to be able to continue to produce the goods like he has on the field, knowing what he’s been through in his cricket career, is the true test of character and the true test of what he is made of.

“He is a very special person.”

Abbott is 32 years of age and remains a chance of clinching that elusive baggy green cap should injuries hit Australia’s first-choice quicks across five Tests against India this summer.

But the fact he is even out there at all, taking seven wickets in his first Sheffield Shield start for NSW this season before joining Australia’s ODI squad, and now six wickets against Tasmania, shows what a warrior he is.

Abbott debuted for Australia in a T20 international on October 5, 2014 – remarkably, alongside Hughes, who was also receiving his first cap in that format.

Sean Abbott playing for Australia in 2014.

Phillip Hughes batting for South Australia. Picture: Wayne Ludbey.

Former teammate Steve O’Keefe paid tribute to Abbott’s character.

“I saw him go from a teenager, a bit of a rough and ready teenager, into a full blown Aussie cricketing superstar, happily married with children,” O’Keefe said.

“I’m so proud of what he’s become. I reminded him in my speech how much he means to me and what it’s meant to be by his side through difficult times and also good times.

“I think it’s remarkable what he’s been able to do

“You only have to look at how he goes about his cricket.

“In T20 cricket, he bowls the toughest stuff. He bowls the hardest overs.

“Where he bats down the order he hits some really tough, fighting runs.

“If you had to extrapolate that out into his personality, it doesn’t surprise me that you put him into pressure situations and (he delivers). He wants that challenge of testing himself and putting his head in the fire.

“There’s no character faults with Sabba.”

Originally published as Why Sean Abbott is Australia’s toughest cricketer: 10 years on from Australian sport’s most tragic day